Foes in library closures debate make first contact

Toronto city councillor Doug Ford, who was mocked for saying he wouldn't be able to recognize celebrated Canadian author Margaret Atwood, finally met the writer on Tuesday. Atwood and Ford had been embroiled in a summer feud about potential library cuts. (Courtesy Michael Thompson)

There's no mistaking it in the photo: Toronto Coun. Doug Ford and celebrated Canadian author Margaret Atwood are clearly now acquaintances.

Ford, who infamously quipped that "if [Atwood] walked by me, I wouldn't have a clue who she is," didn't just brush past the CanLit legend at an arts soirée Tuesday night. The two actually stopped and chatted.

The award-winning Toronto writer and Ford had been engaged in a public feud ever since the councillor mused about potential cuts to library branches as part of deficit-reduction measures. Atwood, who has emerged as a crusader against cuts to public libraries, was having none of it, blasting Ford in a series of Tweets.

But neither had ever met in person until Tuesday.

Upon spotting both Atwood and Ford at a farewell party for the mayor's arts adviser on Tuesday, Coun. Michael Thompson couldn't resist introducing the two to one another. Thompson also took a photo on his Blackberry showing the pair smiling together, with Ford's arm apparently around Atwood's shoulder.

After the meeting, Atwood quickly took to Twitter: "He knows what I look like now!" she wrote.

According to Thompson, the meeting was very light-hearted.

At an executive committee meeting this week, it was revealed that there will be no proposal to close any Toronto public library branches, although cuts to operating or staffing hours may be considered.